Financial Aid Counselor

Principia The • Elsah, IL

1d • $24 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Counselor reports directly to management within the Student Financial Services Office at Principia College. This position plays an integral role in providing superior customer service to all internal and external stakeholders. The counselor role conducts evaluations to assess financial need and aid eligibility for undergraduate students and families. This position is also the initial point of contact for students and families who may have questions, need to drop off documents, inquire about the status of their financial aid, or any other general inquiries. In addition to these duties, this position is responsible for electronic loan certification and disbursement of loan amounts for crediting to student accounts. All functions of this position must operate in compliance with Title IV regulations.

Requirements

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• 1-3 years of experience in college and federal financial aid or related area
• Experience with MS Word, Excel, and Outlook; easily adaptable to new technologies
• Familiarity with Banner financial aid awarding system, preferred
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding government-funded assistance
• Occasional weekend work required; some travel may be required (working with recruiters in the field)

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Banner financial aid awarding system

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary point of contact for current and prospective students.
• Counsels and advises students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs, and indebtedness.
• Uses clear and understandable communication with students, parents, and potential students regarding financial aid counseling.
• Assists students with estimating their educational expenses to calculate their needs for the year and preparing a financial plan.
• Conducts verification review for selected students according to federal regulations.
• Responsible for awarding, disbursing, and reconciling all federal funds (Direct Loans, Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant).
• Reviews and ensures student aid awards are accurate.
• Notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.
• Uses enhanced internal and external communication systems to inform students and parents about financial aid awards and department’s policies and procedures
• Ensures compliance with all financial aid policies, procedures and regulations when reviewing financial aid applications; exercises judgment when interpreting federal and state regulations for specific student situations
• Assists the Director of Financial Aid in reviews and reports to ensure compliance of department with regulations.
• Knowledge of Federal Title IV awards and regulations as well as FERPA.
• Attends training sessions, both on- and off-campus.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• Paid time off
• 403(b)-retirement plan with Principia matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level